Slip Yoke

[Sdude2008]

1999 3.0 4wd 185k
I have my driveshaft out to replace the u joints. While I was working the slip joint separated. I figured while it’s apart I would regrease it for good measure. I got the ptfe xg8 and thoroughly cleaned the splines both the id and od. I applied a liberal amount of grease to the id and od. Now the pieces will not mate. I believe the yoke should slide easily? It seemed to come out that way. Anyone have experience with this? What am I doing wrong? I don’t think I should have to pound it back together. Thanks for any help.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don’t know if they are keyed or not, but you have to make certain that the U-joints are “in phase” or properly aligned in other words. If they are not, you throw off the balance. If you’re lining up the joints and it doesn’t want to go, try turning it 180* and try again. Sometimes it’s a little fidgety to get to start on the splines.

 

[Sdude2008]

Thanks for the response. The yoke splines are near impossible to fit in any orientation. It goes in about half way.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks for the response. The yoke splines are near impossible to fit in any orientation. It goes in about half way.

I don’t think the stock ones have any sort of vent. When it’s greased up, if there’s no vent, it starts acting like a piston because of the air trapped below the splines.

 

[2011Supercab]

It goes in about half way.

You may have put to much grease on/in it

 

[pjtoledo]

hard stop or builds resistance?

hard stop is previous wear pattern, building resistance is trapped air.